Your Kent Wedding - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 89)

116 Contact our experts Victoria Walton, Victoria Elaine B ridal , victoriaelainebridal.co.u k | Jeska McGeehan, Bridal Boutique of Jules , bout iqueofjules.co.uk Hayley Freeman , Victoria Grace Bridal , victoriagracebridal.co.uk Beauty Q&A Local professionals offer advice on looking your big-day best CONTACT OUR EXPERTS: Ruth Ashcroft MUA, muaruthashcroft@gmail.com | Lara James Make Up Artist, larajamesmakeup.co.uk BRONZED GODDESS What’s the secret to using bronzer and highlighter to best effect? Lara says: Bronzer is used to contour your face. Be sure to choose one that suits your skin tone – it should be two shades darker than your natural complexion. Using a brush, lightly apply as though you’re tracing a number three on both sides of your face, and blend well using a circular motion to avoid emphasising uneven skin texture. This shape ensures the bronzer targets your hairline, temples, below the cheekbone, and below the jawline. Soften any sharp edges with a damp sponge or beauty blender. Powder bronzers are best for beginners as they give you the most control. Those with shimmer are great for illuminating the skin, and giving off that fresh sun-kissed glow, but not so much for contouring and shadowing. Applied well, highlighter can really enhance and awaken your complexion. I find the most flattering way to use it is to create skin lights mimicking how fresh and healthy your face would naturally look when the sunlight bounces off it. Remember though, highlighter is so-called for a reason – it will light up whatever it hits, so if there’s a feature that you don’t want to accentuate don’t apply it there! Take the colour cue from your natural skin colour. Pale to medium skin tones suit champagne and apricot hues, whereas complexions with a hint of sallowness should look for more pink undertones, olive and dark tones, on the other hand, look beautiful with more bronzy, golden highlights. Be wary of anything with too much glitter or sparkle though, as this can be too overpowering, and it’s far more likely to settle in pores or over uneven skin texture – not the look you’re after on your wedding day! I love to use highlighter on the cheekbones. It’s most flattering to keep it to the bone and not stray too close to the eyes; otherwise, you may inadvertently end up highlighting fine lines too. I also add to inner corners of eyes to add brightness, a tiny bit to the cupids bow above the lips to make them look fuller, and onto the bridge of the nose. THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT Should my bridesmaids’ make-up look be the same as mine, or would you recommend a complete contrast? Ruth says: The bride should always be the focal point, so it’s not a great idea to have your bridesmaids’ make-up match yours, although your bride tribe could have the same style of application. For example, perhaps you’d like a simple wash of colour on the lids, or a smoky eye. In this case, the colour should be different to yours, but in a complementary shade. If you do want them to have the same colour as you though, I’d recommend they at least wear a varying depth of shade. Whilst you don’t want the make-up to match exactly, you should keep the overall look the same. For instance, if your bridesmaids are going for all-out glam, the bride shouldn’t opt for a natural vibe. This way you’ll all complement each other beautifully, while making sure you’re the belle of the ball.